Taking the plant plunge!

[EllRog]

No harm in doing all that fussing in the video, but I wouldn't bother. There are two things going on here, one is likely sediment in the sand, the other is a bacterial bloom. The method in the video will deal with the first (maybe), but not the second as the bacteria will keep reproducing rapidly until the organics in the water are eaten, and this just has to play itself out.

When I set up a new tank, I dump in the rinsed sand (and I do not rinse it over about four or five rinses), arrange the hardscape (tank is empty of any water), then add water maybee 1/3 to 1/2 of the tank, then plant. This stirs up the sand obviously, so when finished I siphon out all the water right down to the sand, and then fill with fresh tap water running it into a large bowl, adding conditioner. It will not be crystal clear, but usually not too bad. In a couple days the bacterial bloom aspect will be through (this you cannot avoid no matter what).

You're probably right, its probably a mix of both. I'll leave it to settle and give it a waterchange tomorrow I think. Wish I'd have thought about it more and did what you've said you do lol. Lesson learned! Doing a mini version in my 7.5G so I'll follow your advice for that one!

 

[jonnyc88]

Just root tabs every few months and weekly dose of API Leaf Zone here. Plants are looking healthy so far!

Regarding the cloudiness I had it as well. I believe it's down to mostly the substrate. I've rinsed mine but perhaps not as thoroughly as I'd liked but it's not easy rinsing 40kg of substrate
It's cleared up now after a month or so and few water changes.